A Green Future for All Americans, by Gavin Newsom

We
are on the verge of a clean energy revolution that has potential to
create millions of new jobs, revive our economy, and finally free us
from our dependence on foreign oil. It is refreshing that we will soon
have a president that understands the importance of investing in the
green economy to secure America's future prosperity and security. But,
it is equally important that we invest our money in programs that are
working.
Last week, President-elect Obama announced that the nation's
economic stimulus plan - will double alternative energy production in
three years, cut the use of fossil fuels by improving energy efficiency
in 2 million homes and 75 percent of federal buildings, and invest
heavily in public transportation.
As Congress debates Obama's plan to create millions of green jobs,
it is critical to ensure that these jobs are inclusive and our money is
spent wisely. In San Francisco, we are doing this through our solar
incentive program, GoSolarSF,
the nation's largest solar municipal rebate program. GoSolarSF offers a
bigger rebate to companies that hire workers from the city's workforce
development program. Since the program launched in July, applications
for new solar installations have nearly quadrupled.
On my Green 960 radio show this past week, I discussed the green collar economy with Van Jones, founder of best selling book on the topic and Dave Lorens, founder of 1 Block Off the Grid (1BOG), a San Francisco based company that is transforming the solar industry. Listen to the podcast.
"Who will get these jobs? Are there pathways out of poverty into
prosperity? The big opportunity we have here is to build a green
economy that Dr. King would be proud of," said Van Jones. "This is not
our great-grandmother's economy that we are trying to fix in terms of
inclusion and equity. This is one we are going to build ourselves, in
our lifetime, so let's [build this new clean energy sector] with
inclusion built in."
1BOG's web site organizes homeowners to bargain together to drive
down the costs of solar installation, and selects solar companies that
hire installers through city workforce development programs. Members of
1BOG first solar program negotiated up to a 43% savings for
participants. The company launched in San Francisco, the day after we
passed GoSolarSF, and has spread to 20 cities.
As Obama's new energy plan takes shape we should look to innovative
companies like 1BOG and programs like GoSolarSF that provide
opportunities for all communities to have a place in the new, green
economy.
Listen to Mayor Newsom's radio show online or subscribe to his weekly policy discussions on iTunes. This week's guest is Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia. Stay in touch with Mayor Newsom by joining his growing Facebook family. You can also join him on Twitter.